February 04, 2026 a 09:00 pm
CAT: Analysts Ratings - Caterpillar Inc.
The stock of Caterpillar Inc. continues to demonstrate a resilient posture amid fluctuating market conditions. Analyst ratings reflect a cautious optimism, with a majority still recommending to buy or hold the stock. Recent trends suggest a steady grip on market opportunities, primarily driven by its robust business segments in construction, mining, and energy solutions.
Historical Stock Grades
The latest data reveals a predominant consensus towards 'Buy' and 'Hold' recommendations for CAT, although the strong buy sentiment has waned. There is a notable interest in maintaining positions.
| Recommendation | Count | Score Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Buy | 1 | |
| Buy | 13 | |
| Hold | 12 | |
| Sell | 2 | |
| Strong Sell | 0 |
Sentiment Development
The sentiment over recent months shows a stable yet slightly cautious outlook from analysts. The total number of ratings has remained consistent, indicating sustained interest. Notable trends include:
- A decrease in Strong Buy ratings, suggesting tempered enthusiasm.
- Stable Buy recommendations indicate ongoing confidence in the company's fundamentals.
- Hold ratings remain significant, reflecting a wait-and-see approach among analysts.
Percentage Trends
Analyzing the percentage trends involves observing a subtle shift towards neutrality among analysts. In recent months, there has been consistency in Buy recommendations, combined with an increase in Hold ratings:
- Strong Buy positions have dropped, reflecting a more cautious stance.
- Hold recommendations highlight a significant portion of analyst expectations, reflecting caution about near-term volatility.
- The recent percentage composition underscores a shift to a slightly more conservative perspective among analysts.
The most striking change over the past 12 months was the reduction in Strong Buy ratings from 4 to 1, illustrating increased restraint.
Latest Analyst Recommendations
Recent analyst activity for Caterpillar shows varied levels of confidence, indicating a stable outlook with some downward adjustments:
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10-14 | Underweight | Equal Weight | Morgan Stanley |
| 2024-10-14 | Overweight | Overweight | JP Morgan |
| 2024-10-09 | Buy | Buy | Truist Securities |
| 2024-10-09 | Buy | Buy | Citigroup |
| 2024-09-30 | Buy | Buy | B of A Securities |
Analyst Recommendations with Change of Opinion
Key recommendations have reflected caution, with some notable downgrades:
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10-14 | Underweight | Equal Weight | Morgan Stanley |
| 2024-04-26 | Hold | Buy | Stifel |
| 2024-02-20 | In Line | Outperform | Evercore ISI Group |
| 2023-03-27 | Underperform | Neutral | Baird |
| 2023-03-26 | Underperform | Neutral | Baird |
Interpretation
Analyzing current sentiment and adjustments to recommendations provides insights into the market perception of Caterpillar's prospects. A cautious outlook with downgrades suggests some concerns over near-term economic conditions, possibly affecting demand for construction and mining machinery. Some analysts display growing reservation due to external market pressures affecting selling strategies. That said, the stable volume of Buy recommendations indicates a consistent baseline confidence in Caterpillar's robust market position.
Conclusion
Caterpillar Inc. remains a solid player with strong market fundamentals, albeit with some near-term caution among analysts. The balance of Buy and Hold recommendations points to inherent confidence in long-term prospects. Despite some downgrades, the stability in overall sentiment suggests resilience. The company's diversified segments and geographical reach could help mitigate potential market headwinds, maintaining it as a favored entity for long-term institutional investors.